Quite an accomplishment!

On March 18, 2003, the West Windsor Studio packed up its equipment, books, and furniture to venture five miles north to its new home at St. Joseph's Seminary, Plainsboro. One week later the Princeton Studio did the same. Two years of searching for a new facility, crafting a 10 year lease, designing the space, massive renova-tions, and raising a portion of the nec-essary money were finally brought to fruition.

Susan Kaplan, Jeff Kaplan and Christine Ranaghan take a moment out from discussing Learning Through Listening™ plans in the unit's new Educational Outreach Center.

The late arrival of the booths, sewer pipe and drainage problems, unpacking and finding space for 45 years of accumulation, and organizing two sep-arate staffs and two different modes of recording (analog and digital), led to a delayed opening. Hundreds of phone calls were made to apprise the volun-eers of changes in dates and schedules. At last, on April 14, the first full week of recording began for the studio-formerly-known-as-West Windsor. Its four analog booths were active and some volunteers began training in the two digital booths of the newly designated social sciences/humanities studio, while the six digital booths were being erected for the math/science studio. The volunteers and the board have expressed their delight in the wonderful space designed by architect Vince Piacente of Inside Architecture, P.C., and built by Ernie Tanzer of Ten-Kar Construction. After the asbestos abatement in August 2002, Ernie oversaw the installation of the new HVAC system, the removal of the old chemistry lab tables, and the creation of new office and studio space from long-abandoned science rooms. He worked through many weekends to bring the project in on time. His dedication is apparent in the well-crafted rooms.

Thanks is also due to Rich Forte of AG Teleconsultants for providing the computer cabling and phone system, and to Nassau Broadcasting for funding the major portion of the cabling.

The project manager for our new facility was John Churchill, senior vice-president for operations at our national headquarters. He kept an eye on every detail: arranging architect/construction meetings; creating budget spreadsheets; overseeing lease arrangements; getting multiple bids for a security system, cleaning crews, window blinds; providing headquarters staff under the direction of Candido Rodriguez, Bob Smith, and Larry Rosario, for setting up the recording equipment, painting the booths, washing windows, removing moving boxes; overseeing the work of Tom Farrar and his excellent team of booth movers; arranging for the former West Windsor studio to be restored to office space; and lastly, providing a month's supply of toilet paper! The success of this project is due in no small part to John's expert guidance, his ability to maintain a sense of humor in unusual circumstances and his willingness to occasionally play the heavy in the gentlest manner possible.

We are grateful for 45 years of rent-free space generously provided by the Princeton Theological Seminary, and for ten years of rent-free space donated by our national headquarters for the West Windsor Studio. St. Joseph's Seminary graciously offered the first eight years of our lease rent-free in exchange for our bearing the heavy up-front costs of renovation. The difficulty of having to leave our comfortable homes is mitigated by the beauty of the setting of our new home.

Having soundproof booths, the full conversion from analog to digital (by September), 500 volunteers and the full staff in one location should enable us to provide an improved product to our borrowers. We are grateful to those who have made this possible. The New Jersey Unit also thanks the following headquarters staff for their invaluable assistance: Victor Ontaneda Pragnesh Patel Randall Watson Deborah Neuman Steve Wolset Jack Carlin Dave Hughes Chris Greene

Leah Stein learns the art of directing a digital recording session from Mike Casserly while Mary Kay Podlecki reads a computer textbook in the new studio space at St. Joseph's Seminary.

The New Jersey Unit – Providing equal access to the printed word for 45 years!

1957	Alma Rotnem (Mrs. Ralph) reads material for a blind professor at the Institute for Advanced Study. She learns about Recording for the Blind (RFB®), forms a committee of "21 prominent Princetonians" and obtains rent-free space from the Princeton Theological Seminary, (PTS) in the basement of 100 Stockton Street.
1958	With funds for one year's operation, four booths and 113 volunteers, the Princeton studio opens in April. Ruth Bogia and Laura Stevens become part-time studio directors for a nominal salary. Ruth is responsible for many of the operations which today make the studios run smoothly. Borrowers receive SoundScriber discs from headquarters embossed from tapes recorded in the studio. Each disc holds one hour of recording.
1962	Nancy Amick starts the Raised Line Drawing (RLD) program. RLDs accompany math and science texts. The unit starts to use monitors (directors) and pioneers the first tape duplicating machine. Borrowers receive reel-to-reel tapes holding two hours of reading directly from the studio.
1968	Honor Roll is started to recognize volunteers with ten years service.
1974	Four-track recording introduced.
1976	Duplication switches from open reel to cassette.
1978	Unit celebrates its 20th anniversary. Anna Rotnem dies.
1982	Due to renovations to 100 Stockton Street, PTS donates space, with windows, in the basement of Whitely Gymnasium.
1983	Unit celebrates its 25th anniversary with an Open House in its new space, 36A Hibben Road. National headquarters moves from New York City to a custom built facility on Roszel Road, West Windsor.
1984	Even though RFB discontinues Raised Line drawings to accompany scientific texts, Nancy Amick, Ruth Bogia and their helpers distribute them on request from the Princeton studio.
1988	30th anniversary is marked by the opening of the West Windsor studio in the national headquarters building. Olivian Boon is studio director.
1989	A booth is purchased and staffed by an AT&T (now Lucent) group in Middletown, recording computer texts with amazing accuracy.
1993	The opening of the West Windsor studio in the national headquarters building. Olivian Boon is studio director.
1994	The New Jersey Unit's first annual Record-A-Thon.
1995	Responding to demand, the national organization changes its name to Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D®). A "Walking Tour of Princeton" cassette, with script by Jeanne Sylvester, narrated by John Chancellor and cover graphic by Henry Martin is produced to raise visibility and funds for the unit.
1997	Funds for offices and two more recording booths for the Princeton studio are raised in honor of Peter Putnam. Anne Young, Princeton studio director since 1982, is named executive director. The first director of fund raising is appointed. Tentative efforts at outreach begin.
1998	Amy Steinmetz becomes Princeton studio director. Peter Putnam Suite opens at Princeton. West Windsor studio moves to Carnegie Center. Princeton becomes a Beta testing site for digital audio recording. Anne Young retires.
1999	Christine Ranaghan becomes the unit's first director of educational outreach.
2002	PTS tells the unit it must renovate the Whitely Gymnasium. Headquarters tells the unit it will not renew the lease for Carnegie Center. Olivian Boon becomes interim executive director. Sandi Wilson is hired as director of development and works with the board to raise funds for the move and operating expenses.
2003	The New Jersey Unit celebrates its 45th anniversary by merging its two studios and moving to St. Joseph's Seminary in Plainsboro.

A farewell from Amy..

I am sure you remember me chasing you around with a camera taking photos. You also know that I looked for any excuse to travel, east or west, by car or plane. While you were patiently waiting for us to pack it all up and move it all to St. Joe's, a wonderful opportunity opened up for me. I accepted a position as a visual artist with a conference production company. Said simply, I will be a travelling photographer. The sad part is that this will take me away from RFB&D and all of you. My first assignment starts at the same time as the studio reopening, so I will not even get to say goodbye to you in person. Please know that you are all very special to me after all of this time and that I wish I could take this new position and stay at RFB&D, too. I will miss you all terribly, and I will even miss days when there were new books piled higher than my desk. You are a wonderful group to work with, easy to love and very hard to leave. Love, Amy

Amy Steinmetz spent 10 years with the New Jersey Unit as assistant studio director, then as Princeton studio director from 1998-2003. We thank Amy for her friendship, expertise and tireless dedication to the unit. Good luck Amy!

Building Fund update

Thank You Lions! Unit Board Co-Chair Shawn Ellsworth, board member and Lions Club District 16-B Vice Governor Earl Groendyke, Lions Club District 16-D Vice Governor Arthur A. Roedel, Jr. and Unit Board Co-Chair Peter Gibson at December's Key Passing Ceremony from St. Joseph's Seminary to the New Jersey Unit commemorating the start of construction of the unit's new facilities. Lions Clubs throughout the state are generous supporters of the New Jersey Unit.

Support RFB&D while you shop!

How can your everyday shopping benefit the New Jersey Unit? Who hasn't uttered the words, "I wish there was something I could do to help?" Now you can. Start shopping! At www.iGive.com/RFBDNJ you can buy the items you've always wanted like that CD box set, clothes, or the oversized coffee-table photography book you've had your eyes on, only without guilt. It's FREE, no invisible costs or tricky obligations. Shop for everyday items at the over 400 stores at the Mall at iGive.com, like Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, Lands' End and Amazon.com. Up to 27% of each purchase is donated to the New Jersey Unit. Join now at www.iGive.com/RFBDNJ Good through 12/31/03. ©iGive.com Holdings, LLC

Shop at Wild Oats and earn nickels for the NJ Unit Bring your own canvas shopping bag or re-use shopping bags or bulk containers and receive a "Wooden Nickel" for each bag at Wild Oats Community Market at 255 Nassau Street in Princeton. These "Wooden Nickels" support local charities when you deposit them in the "Wooden Nickel Banks" near the exit of the store. Through July 2003, the New Jersey Unit will be one of three charities represented by Wooden Nickel Banks. At the completion of the six-month term, Wild Oats Markets, Inc. will issue a check to RFB&D-NJ Unit for the total amount raised "nickel for Wooden Nickel." Please support us and the environment by bringing your own bags when you shop at Wild Oats...AND...put those Wooden Nickels in the bank marked RFB&D-NJ Unit.

Your support pays off for Paterson

Constance Harrell, reading specialist for the Department of Special Services in the Paterson school district, saw the difference RFB&D makes for struggling students, but needed help implementing the program in her schools. Then she met Christine Ranaghan, the director of educational outreach for the New Jersey Unit.

Working together, they implemented the state funded RFB&D Learning Through Listening (LT L) program in seven schools in September, 2001. With the support of generous donations, the unit has also been able to give scholarships to several other schools and individuals in the district. These schools are receiving what Ranaghan calls "100 percent support," including equipment, an institutional membership for access to the recorded texts in the CV Starr Learning Through Listening™ Library at national headquarters and educational teacher training and classroom support.

Key to Ranaghan's educational outreach efforts is the unit's Professional Development Provider Benjamin Rivera who has worked with at least 25 schools in Paterson, Elizabeth and Newark since Fall 2002. Harrell recently testified to state legislators, "Ben's and Chris's services have been invaluable. Because of their tireless efforts and diligence, we have begun to make progress."

Rivera knows the need for RFB&D first hand. As Vice President of the New Jersey Chaplain's Association, his ministry has been to "try to help people better themselves through education," by teaching in corrections facilities. He sees what happens when a child can't read noting, "68 percent of our nation's inmates have not finished high school and their academic stagnation is traceable to grade school," and believes the only way for Learning Through Listening to fail is to not implement the program. With LTL he sees, "it doesn't take a lot of time for the individual to improve," preventing a lifetime of problems stemming from reading disabilities. Others obviously agree. Principals now approach him to find out how RFB&D can help in their schools.

He appreciates the help of volunteers and donors offering "kudos to our volunteers and supporters. This program really changes the lives of individuals. You have no idea how your voice on that tape helps the person on the other end understand."

As the role of the unit's educational out-each effort grows across the state, Ranaghan seeks more coordinators like Rivera "who understand the education system." She adds, "Ben has been able to make such an impact in every community he works in. He shows how efforts like RFB&D can bring diverse communities together."

Photo by Ms. Mickey Bonnett

Photo by Len Epstein

Your support pays off for students of over 60 schools in under resourced districts like New Brunswick, Trenton , Paterson, Newark, Elizabeth and others as it allows the New Jersey Unit's educational outreach effort to provide schools with Annual Institutional Memberships, playback equipment and teacher training and support from Director of Educational Outreach Christine Ranaghan, Outreach Officer Sherry Deutsch and Professional Development Provider Benjamin Rivera. As Learning Through Listening proves successful in helping students with print disabilities become more academically independent, many more schools are seeking the unit's support.

"Have you called RFB&D yet?"

'Tanya Holubiak, a junior at North Brunswick High School, has earned a 4.25 GPA and a berth on the all county swimming team. Tanya, diagnosed with dyslexia in the second grade, has been an RFB&D member since her freshman year.

She was classified in second grade and received help from a learning disablities teacher, but had made such progress by middle school it was suggested Tanya be declassified. Her mother Dawn agreed, but now admits, "Giving up her classification was the biggest mistake that I ever made."

Dawn Holubiak says the first thing her daugher, honors student Tanya Holubiak, asks when given a reading assignment is, "Have you called RFB&D?" After years of academic struggles due to dyslexia, Tanya has a 4.25 GPA at North Brunswick High School.

Gifted in math and science, Tanya continued to do well in the classroom, but struggled with English. Her mother and a private tutor were able to help, but without the accommodations that classification allows, like extra time on standardized tests, she was not able to qualify for the advanced classes, even though her classroom performance proved she was capable of the work. Although Dawn was able to get some teachers to recommend her for Honors classes, it was clear Tanya would not be able to achieve her potential without some accommodations for her dyslexia. After struggling to get Tanya a Plan 504 for classroom accommodations in high school, the Holubiaks discovered RFB&D. Tanya says, "I started using the tapes for all my required reading in English and by my sophomore year I was using the tapes for all my reading including textbooks. I finished my sophomore year with all A's and one B. The difference using the tapes was incredible. I was able to get through the material much faster and my comprehension had improved."

She is currently in honors classes including Advanced Placement statistics, chemistry and U.S. history classes. She adds, "I wouldn't have even con-idered such a thing if I didn't have access to the tapes from RFB&D, and a few years ago I wouldn't have thought it was possible to take classes at an advanced level."

Her mother is certain, "this would not have been possible without the help of RFB&D." Learning Through Listening not only helps Tanya keep up with her reading, but Dawn notes, "Her comprehension has improved. Since she has been using the tapes I know that she has much more confidence and is a much more independent learner."

Tanya believes Learning Through Listening has helped her academically, but believes it has "also given me the confidence I need to succeed. I am so grateful to RFB&D." She finds it reassuring to know RFB&D will be with her, "through high school and in college as well."

Special education consultant George Renwick (l.) and Dr. Gordon Sherman of Newgrange School answer questions from an audience of parents and educators at "Dyslexia, Reading, Recordings and Resources", a symposium held at RFB&D's national headquarters in April. New Jersey Unit Educational Outreach Director Christine Ranaghan(r.) moderated the event, sponsored by RFB&D, the New Jersey Unit and the New Jersey Branch of the International Dyslexia Association drew 75 attendees and also featured RFB&D member Tonya Holubiak and her mother Dawn (see above) and RFB&D's Peter Smith and Karen LeMorvan who discussed RFB&D's AudioPlus™ technology.

Are you ready for Record-A-Thon?

The Record-A-Thon 2003 committee is planning this year's event, scheduled for May 12-17. This year, during R-A-T, the New Jersey Unit will also celebrate its 45th anniversary and the grand opening of its new home. Festivities will include an open house for the community, official ribbon cutting ceremonies, refreshments and celebrity readers. Rep. Rush Holt has agreed to be this year's honorary chair. Funds raised during the event help keep the studios operating at full capacity. Committee members are (left to right) standing: Sandy Shapiro, Sue Brooks, Anita Trullinger and Carolyn Sanderson; kneeling or sitting, Oriel Quinlan and Anne Young.

New Jersey Unit Record-A-Thon 2003 Corporate Sponsors Studio Sponsor   Booth Sponsor  Volvo of Princeton Booth Sponsor   Booth Sponsor    Book Sponsor   Book Sponsor   Book Sponsor David M. Quinlan, P.C. For more information about Record-A-Thon sponsorship, call Sandi Wilson at 609-750-9579.

Staff Olivian Boon, Interim Executive Director/ Studio Director Sandi Wilson, Director of Development Jeanette Eng, Development Assistant Jessie Falcone, Digital Audio Coordinator Michael Casserly, Saturday/Evening Supervisor Gail Clauer, Volunteer Coordinator Tony Gruenewald, Communications Coordinator Judy Wilson-Smith, Studio Assistant Helen Fortunato, Studio Assistant Steve Montefusco, Volunteer Digital Trainer Educational Outreach Center Christine Ranaghan, Director Sherry Deutsch, Outreach Officer Deborah Passafiume, Customer Service Coordinator Benjamin Rivera, Professional Development Provider

Board of Directors Officers Shawn Ellsworth, Co-Chair Peter Gibson, Co-Chair Daniel H. Jamieson, Jr., Vice-Chair James A. Amick Jerome K. Freedman, M.D. Amy Regan Carolyn Powell Sanderson James D. Walker Board Members Catherine D. Brown Marjorie Freeman Daniel Goldberg Geoffrey D. Green Earl Groendyke Herb Greenberg, Ph.D. Margaret T. Harper Cynthia Hillas Mari Molenaar, Ed.D. Douglas Moore Sandra Shapiro,Webmaster Emeritus Ruth Bogia Hendrick van Oss Hugh D. Wise, Ex-officio

©, ™, SM, "Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic," "RFB&D," "Learning Through Listening," the Heart and Headphones design, and all trademarks, service marks and trade names are proprietary to Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Incorporated.

Spring 2003 Recorder in pdf format

New Jersey Recorder Archives